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  #1  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:34 AM
mrkpower mrkpower is offline
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Default Why Martin OM-45 is discontinued??

There are D-45s, why there aren't OM-45s anymore?
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  #2  
Old 03-10-2013, 07:47 AM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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I can't comment specifically on that model, but when models are discontinued it is usually a sign that buyer demand is low, resources are difficult to come by (i.e. CITES listed wood), replaced by another model, or there is no profit in manufacturing the guitar.

According to the book "Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference", which has the production totals and prices for all Martins, it lists the following production totals for the OM-45, starting from the last year produced:

1994:11
1993: 8
1992: 5
1991: 3
1990: 3
1989: 5
1987-88: 1
1985-86: 1

I'm going to guess that in this case, it was discontinued due to poor customer demand. Are you a fan of the OM-45?
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Old 03-10-2013, 07:55 AM
HHP HHP is offline
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I don't know that the OM-45 has ever been, in recent times, a production model. Its usually limited to special runs and custom orders. The D-45 is sort of a flagship model in the line although production is also much lower than less appointed models.
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Old 03-10-2013, 07:55 AM
ferganzo ferganzo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dru Edwards View Post
I can't comment specifically on that model, but when models are discontinued it is usually a sign that buyer demand is low, resources are difficult to come by (i.e. CITES listed wood), replaced by another model, or there is no profit in manufacturing the guitar.

According to the book "Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference", which has the production totals and prices for all Martins, it lists the following production totals for the OM-45, starting from the last year produced:

1994:11
1993: 8
1992: 5
1991: 3
1990: 3
1989: 5
1987-88: 1
1985-86: 1

I'm going to guess that in this case, it was discontinued due to poor customer demand. Are you a fan of the OM-45?
I believe Rich (rmyAddison) has a 2005 OM-45 Tasmanian Blackwood. I guess they have done some limited run production at times.
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  #5  
Old 03-10-2013, 08:19 AM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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The OM-45s, at least in recent decades, were never standard model Martins (as in manufactured every year) like the D-45's. They have been limited edition releases in very small numbers, they are rare. The 1930 OM-45 Roy Rogers Deluxe, along with the pre-war D-45s command ridiculous money, OM-45 Deluxe #1 went for $460,000.

In recent years there were a few runs, in 2008 there were 14 OM-45 Roy Roger Deluxes made, in 2005 there were 29 OM-45 Tasmanina Blackwoods, and there have been OM-45 GE and Marquis runs also, always small batches, mostly years apart, using Martin's best woods.

My guess to the rarity is intential exclusivitity, and price, OM-45s are priced higher than D-45s.

I am lucky enough to have a 2005 OM-45 TB, #23 of 29, flamed curly Engelmann over Flamed Tasmanian Blackwood. The pianolike tone falls somewhere between rosewood and mahogany, and it is louder than my rosewood and mahogany 000/OM's. OM-45s get premium inlays, some have headstock torches and hand carved gold tuners.

To me they are Martins finest, both as wonderful examples of craftmanship/materials but also amazing sounding instruments. It's been 4 years since the last run, I think there were less than 100 OM-45s all told in the last 10 years. Martin may be due to sping the next OM-45 run, my guess would be Madagascar or Amazon Rosewood, and I will be in that line.....

Here is my 2005 OM-45 TB, #23 , it is NOT for sale. The orignal case was an Accord Carbon fiber.

Alternate torch over Tasmanian Blackwood, hard carved gold Waverlys






Flamed curly Engelmann top, never seen a top like this; uber tight in the center, perfectly bookmatched but the grain snakes in the middle then gets tight again, looks 3D and on fire if you change the light angle





Flamed Tasmanian Blackwood, a cousin to Koa, wonderful harmonics/overtones




MY OM-45 TB is only eight years old and has appreciated nicely, but to me it is a daily player, goes on gigs, and has a very unique lush sound that is wonderful for fingerstyle, but a little too much for my flatpicking.

If you see a Martin OM-45, any run, and can afford the price of admission, buy it!! You will have amazing instrument that will appreciate..........
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Rich Macklin Soundclick Website
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Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar
Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar
Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29)
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Old 03-10-2013, 09:16 AM
rkl245 rkl245 is offline
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OMG.. Rich...I think I wet my pants a little bit.
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Martin D-18VS
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  #7  
Old 03-10-2013, 09:36 AM
ferganzo ferganzo is offline
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Thanks for posting that. One can never have too much Martin -45 eye-candy.

Yeah...they do an OM-45...I'm in line, too.
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Old 03-10-2013, 09:50 AM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferganzo View Post
Thanks for posting that. One can never have too much Martin -45 eye-candy.

Yeah...they do an OM-45...I'm in line, too.
Nice collection, I've downsized "some", what made you sell the Stills, hopefully you made a few bucks, they are in demand............
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Rich Macklin Soundclick Website
http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison

Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar
Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar
Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29)
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  #9  
Old 03-10-2013, 10:02 AM
Bluside Bluside is offline
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Rich- I love it when you post pictures of this guitar. It is just drop dead gorgeous.
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  #10  
Old 03-10-2013, 10:13 AM
ferganzo ferganzo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmyAddison View Post
Nice collection, I've downsized "some", what made you sell the Stills, hopefully you made a few bucks, they are in demand............
Just didn't play it due to 1 7/8 nut width. I sold it for the price which I paid. I was happy to pass it along to someone else who would play it. I think I'm reaching saturation and approaching GAS-free.
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Old 03-10-2013, 10:16 AM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferganzo View Post
Just didn't play it due to 1 7/8 nut width. I sold it for the price which I paid. I was happy to pass it along to someone else who would play it. I think I'm reaching saturation and approaching GAS-free.
I can't play a 1-7/8" nut either, 1-3/4" for me...........
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Rich Macklin Soundclick Website
http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison

Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar
Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar
Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29)
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  #12  
Old 03-10-2013, 01:27 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferganzo View Post
I believe Rich (rmyAddison) has a 2005 OM-45 Tasmanian Blackwood. I guess they have done some limited run production at times.
Looks like it's a LTD, as Rich has stated, and a darn nice one at that.
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